Stories About Your Grandkids

Buddy the Dragon Slayer

I have written stories about my grandkids, as I have mentioned, but the ones I truly love are the ones that they can really relate to. I wrote a story about "Buddy the Dragon Slayer" for my grandson who has cystic fibrosis, to show him how brave I think he is. He has to go through daily physio (while the others play) and has to take several pills (which he takes like a champ). He sometimes has tummy aches too, but he braves through it all. This story is to take him away from all of that even for a moment...and he knows "Buddy" is about him (I have always called him Buddy). I have written two stories about Buddy and am onto the third.

I have also written a story for my other two grandchildren. My granddaughter's book is about Vampires, when she was into that, but I made it a story about "making decisions in life" and doing what's best, and not just doing what your friends want you to do.  I also wrote one for her friend and called it "Snowgirls" (like snowmen) and I included all of the 'BFF's' in it. I also wrote one for my younger grandson about himself and how quiet he usually is, but if he was upset, everyone knew it, and could hear him (throughout the neighbourhood and even in the neighbourhood zoo ha ha). I didn't even realize it until the last time I went to visit, that he asks his mom to read that one to him all the time. 

These are the most special books for me... 

I was searching for something different (and special) to do for the grandkids for Valentine's Day when I came across a site that used a deck of ordinary playing cards, and it showed how you could turn it into a little booklet called "52 Things I Love About You" http://niftymom.com/2011/11/52-love-you-ideas-tips/.  I was intrigued, so I pursued it further and although most of them were about adults and relationships it was easy enough to put my own spin on it and gear it towards grandchildren (definitely using some of their wording though to get ideas).  You use a deck of cards (I used a different coloured deck of cards for each grandchild), punch two holes in the side of each card and use binder rings (can get at a craft store) to hold the deck together or you can use ribbon...you can even use little eyelets to connect the binder rings to the cards for ease of turning the cards one by one.   Below, is what I wrote for the 52 things.  I printed these off individually and glue-sticked them to each card in the deck.  I used the Joker cards for the front and back cover and I put a small picture of each of them on the front of their deck of cards under the wording "52 Reasons Grannie Loves You".  I'm visiting them shortly after Valentine's Day, so will wait and give it to them then.  I always like to bring them a little something and I know they like when I make them things.  I think they will like it, but I'll have to wait and see. 
NOTE:  I think I will also get them some other cards that they can play with, i.e., Crazy Eights, Go Fish, etc., so they are not as apt to use these cards for everyday card playing, but if they do decided to do that, it's okay too (I have saved the wording for the cards so I can reproduce it at anytime).

52 Reasons Grannie Loves You

1. You make me smile
2. You make me laugh
3. You make me beautiful cards
4. You draw me great pictures
5. You help me find things
6. You don’t care what I look like, even if I’m wearing my housecoat and my hair is sticking up
7. You do crafts with me
8. You like to have fun
9. You write stories with me
10. You act silly sometimes
11. You love your family
12. You talk to me on Skype
13. You cuddle up to me when I visit
14. You tell me you miss me when we are not together
15. You look concerned when I cry
16. You listen to the stories I write you
17. You send me messages with happy faces
18. You hug me when you want to
19. You hug me when I want you to
20. You like the poems I write for you
21. You understand that sometimes I have happy cries and sometimes I have sad cries
22. You listen to me when I’m talking to you
23. You are amazing
24. You kiss me when you want to
25. You kiss me when I want you to
26. You hold my hand when we are walking
27. You are helpful
28. You surprise me sometimes
29. You care about animals and especially your pets
30. You are a good friend to others
31. You write me notes
32. You think your farts are funny
33. You like to be goofy and dance around
34. You are honest
35. You do your chores and don’t complain (much)
36. You like to make funny faces
37. You like to use your imagination
38. You like to try new games
39. You like to watch movies
40. You teach me new games to play
41. You care about others
42. You are polite
43. You are kind
44. You always try your best
45. You are brave when you need to be
46. You are not mean to people
47. You understand that everyone is different and that’s okay
48. You like yourself
49. You respect your parents
50. You are wonderful
51. Because you are my grandchild
52. Because I know you love me